Local roundup: Dixon tennis duo headed for state

Kent, VanOosten placed fourth at Rock Island Sectional

Dixon’s doubles team of Hayley Kent and Jessica VanOosten placed fourth Saturday at the Rock Island Sectional, securing a state tournament berth.

After winning their two matches Friday, Kent and VanOosten lost 6-1, 6-0 in the semifinals to eventual sectional champions Alyssa Ray and Molly McPherson of Moline. The duo then lost 6-3, 6-4 to Lauren Hogan and Sarah Van Hoe of Alleman in the third-place match.

Kent and VanOosten will travel to the suburbs for the state tournament beginning Thursday.

Boys cross country

Newman 2nd in Peoria: Every Comet ran a personal best en route to a close runner-up finish at the 34-team Patriot Invitational at Detweiller Park.

Bryson Reyes placed eighth in 15:40.6, 24 seconds. Drew Rosengren, coming off a recent illness, took 11th in 15:49.1, and Chris Ahlers was right behind him in 12th (15:52.9).

Amboy’s Grady 4th in Peoria: Megan Grady placed fourth with a time of 18:31.9 in the 27-team Patriot Invite at Detweiller Park. Amboy was 10th with 308 points.

Erie-Prophetstown was the top local team, placing eighth with 292 points. Corrie Reiley took 12th in 18:58.9. Bureau Valley also fielded a full team, finishing 16th (402). The Storm were led by Helena Arnadottir (81st, 21:04) and Katelin Johnson (82nd, 21:06.5).

Newman got personal bests from two of its three runners. Haley Simpson was 22nd in 19:17, while Teagan McKenna placed 39th in 19:50.6.

Nysather racked up 47 digs for Newman, which got 37 total kills from Aubree Schmitt and 51 assists from Kayci Howell.

Prophetstown 2nd at Sherrard: The Prophets placed three girls on the all-tournament team en route to a 4-1 record at the 10-team Sherrard Invite.

Clare Kramer (19 kills, 29 digs), Claire Milnes (21 kills, 11 blocks), and Kate Fringer (59 assists) led the Prophets (10-16), who went 4-0 in pool play before falling to Prairie Central in the title match.

Morrison finished 3-2, winning its final three matches. Lakin Goodman had 26 kills as an all-tournament selection, while Chelsea Eads added 18 kills and 34 digs. Adrienne Banks spiked 15 kills and Brooke Ryan set 50 assists as the Fillies (13-17) played quite a few non-starters throughout the day.